Huntington WV vs Johnson City TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Huntington, WV
West Virginia · Population: 46,189
- Median HH Income$43,146
- Median Home Price$138,553
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+34.4%
Johnson City, TN
Tennessee · Population: 71,455
- Median HH Income$55,429
- Median Home Price$294,254
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+41.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Huntington
46,189
Johnson City
71,455
Johnson City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntington
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
Median Age
Huntington
34.9
Huntington +
Johnson City
35.1
Foreign Born
Huntington
1.8%
Johnson City
4.6%
Johnson City +
White
Huntington
85.0%
Huntington +
Johnson City
84.0%
Black
Huntington
6.5%
Huntington +
Johnson City
6.3%
Asian
Huntington
1.3%
Johnson City
2.0%
Johnson City +
Hispanic
Huntington
2.0%
Johnson City
5.6%
Johnson City +
Spanish at Home
Huntington
N/A
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 46,189 | 71,455 | Johnson City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 35.1 | Huntington + |
| Foreign Born | 1.8% | 4.6% | Johnson City + |
| White | 85.0% | 84.0% | Huntington + |
| Black | 6.5% | 6.3% | Huntington + |
| Asian | 1.3% | 2.0% | Johnson City + |
| Hispanic | 2.0% | 5.6% | Johnson City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntington
$43,146
Johnson City
$55,429
Johnson City +
Per Capita Income
Huntington
$30,024
Johnson City
$36,451
Johnson City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntington
$50,163
Johnson City
$59,097
Johnson City +
Unemployment Rate
Huntington
7.6%
Johnson City
5.9%
Johnson City +
Poverty Rate
Huntington
27.4%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntington
34.4%
Johnson City
41.8%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $43,146 | $55,429 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,024 | $36,451 | Johnson City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $50,163 | $59,097 | Johnson City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6% | 5.9% | Johnson City + |
| Poverty Rate | 27.4% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.4% | 41.8% | Johnson City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntington
$138,553
Huntington +
Johnson City
$294,254
Homeownership Rate
Huntington
52.5%
Huntington +
Johnson City
49.8%
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $138,553 | $294,254 | Huntington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.5% | 49.8% | Huntington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
398
Huntington +
Johnson City
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntington
1999
Huntington +
Johnson City
2350
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Huntington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Huntington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
46.4%
Johnson City
36.2%
Johnson City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntington
15.7%
Johnson City
12.7%
Johnson City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntington
24.0%
Johnson City
21.1%
Johnson City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntington
9.7%
Huntington +
Johnson City
11.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntington
13.7%
Huntington +
Johnson City
15.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntington
20.6%
Johnson City
17.4%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 46.4% | 36.2% | Johnson City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 12.7% | Johnson City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 24.0% | 21.1% | Johnson City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 11.9% | Huntington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 15.3% | Huntington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 20.6% | 17.4% | Johnson City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
56.1°F
Johnson City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntington
43.1 in
Johnson City
N/A
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntington
9.3 µg/m³
Johnson City
8.9 µg/m³
Johnson City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntington
55.0%
Johnson City
75.0%
Johnson City +
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Johnson City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Johnson City + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntington
20.2 min
Huntington +
Johnson City
20.3 min
| Metric | Huntington, WV | Johnson City, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.2 min | 20.3 min | Huntington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Johnson City leads in median household income at $55,429, while huntington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $138,553. On public safety, Huntington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Johnson City. Johnson City has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Johnson City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Johnson City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.2%.
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